6.15.2004

And Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old." (Matt 13:52)

I've been doing some more reading on the topic of Public Intellectuals. While the "scribe" that Christ speaks of here is not historically identical to what has come to be called a "public intellectual," there are significant continuities.

In any case, I find it most provocative that Christ takes cognizance of the possibility of disciple-scribes, and envisions for them a kingdom task of excavation and dissemination of valuable things, new and old.

If, afterall, the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ, then the prospects are certain for even the publicly engaged Christian thinker to work profitably.